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Categories: Engineering: Nanotechnology, Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published 'Time-traveling' pathogens in melting permafrost pose likely risk to environment
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Ancient pathogens that escape from melting permafrost have real potential to damage microbial communities and might potentially threaten human health, according to a new study.
Published Solar batteries: New material makes it possible to simultaneously absorb light and store energy
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers are making progress on the design of a solar battery made from an abundant, non-toxic and easily synthesized material composed of 2D carbon nitride.
Published Materials science: How molecular entanglements determine the structure of polymers
(via sciencedaily.com) The structure of semi-crystalline polymers largely depends on how strongly their molecular chains are entangled. Following numerous experiments, researchers developed a new model to predict the microscopic structure of the materials as well as their properties. Polymers are long-chain molecules. Semi-crystalline polymers are a mixture of solid and liquid elements. They are often used in plastics and packaging materials.
Published Scientists vacuum animal DNA from air in a Danish forest
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Over 60 animal species in three days. That is how many mammals, birds and amphibians researchers found DNA traces from in the air in a Danish forest. The results can pave the way for a new and innovative way of mapping biodiversity.
Published Towards silver cluster-assembled materials for environmental monitoring
(via sciencedaily.com) Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) are emerging light-emitting materials with molecular designability and unique properties. However, due to their dissimilar structural architecture in different solvents, their widespread application remains limited. Now, researchers have developed two new SCAMs that exhibit excellent fluorescence and high sensitivity to Fe3+ ions in aqueous solutions, indicating their potential for environmental monitoring and assessment.
Published Self-healing plastic becomes biodegradable
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Chemists develop mineral plastics with numerous positive properties from sustainable basic building blocks and, together with biologists, demonstrate the material's excellent microbiological degradability.
Published How to move communities away from flooding risks with minimal harm
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source As sea levels rise and flooding becomes more frequent, many countries are considering a controversial strategy: relocation of communities. A Stanford analysis of planned relocations around the world reveals a blueprint for positive outcomes.
Published Making renewable, infinitely recyclable plastics using bacteria
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists engineered microbes to make the ingredients for recyclable plastics -- replacing finite, polluting petrochemicals with sustainable alternatives. The new approach shows that renewable, recyclable plastics are not only possible, but also outperform those from petrochemicals.
Published New technology promises rapid and reliable development of new diagnostic tests
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins which can be used in a multitude of biotechnological, biomedical and bioengineering applications.
Published New study reveals that tree species diversity increases spider density
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The link between tree diversity and spider populations can help homeowners and other land managers better plan tree plantings to naturally mitigate the effects of climate change.
Published New insights into the origin of the Indo-European languages
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An international team of linguists and geneticists has achieved a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the origins of Indo-European, a family of languages spoken by nearly half of the world's population.
Published New research method determines health impacts of heat and air quality
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The planet experienced the hottest day on record earlier this month and climate projections estimate the intensity of heat waves and poor air quality will increase and continue to cause severe impacts. Researchers have refined and expanded a method of data collection to assess their health impacts.
Published Climate change threatens 771 endangered plant and lichen species
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source All plants and lichens listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act are sensitive to climate change but there are few plans in place to address this threat directly, according to new research.
Published Delaying methane mitigation increases risk of breaching Paris Agreement climate goal, study finds
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study shows that efforts to reduce methane emissions are needed immediately if we are to meet global climate change goals. A key element of the 2015 Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change, is the commitment to limit average global temperatures increases to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This requires reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by or around 2050 -- and deep reductions in methane and other emissions.
Published Earlier and earlier high-Arctic spring replaced by 'extreme year-to-year variation'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source About 15 years ago, researchers reported that the timing of spring in high-Arctic Greenland had advanced at some of the fastest rates of change ever seen anywhere in the world. But, according to new evidence, that earlier pattern has since been completely erased. Instead of coming earlier and earlier, it seems the timing of Arctic spring is now driven by tremendous climate variability with drastic differences from one year to the next.
Published A novel approach for balancing properties in composite materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists are developing an approach to enhance multifunctionality and structural properties simultaneously by embedding patterned nanostructures in composite materials, which could result in more efficient energy systems enhancing everyday life.
Published Arctic terns may navigate climate dangers
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Arctic terns -- which fly on the longest migrations of any animal on Earth -- may be able to navigate the dangers posed by climate change, new research suggests.
Published Soil microbes help plants cope with drought, but not how scientists thought
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In a multi-generation experiment, researchers found microbes helped plants cope with drought, but not in response to plants' cries for help. Instead, the environment itself selected for drought-tolerant microbes. And while those hardy microbes were doing their thing, they just happened to make plants more drought-tolerant, too.
Published Gloomy climate calculation: Scientists predict a collapse of the Atlantic ocean current to happen mid-century
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Important ocean currents that redistribute heat, cold and precipitation between the tropics and the northernmost parts of the Atlantic region will shut down around the year 2060 if current greenhouse gas emissions persist. This is the conclusion based on new calculations that contradict the latest report from the IPCC.
Published Towards artificial photosynthesis with engineering of protein crystals in bacteria
(via sciencedaily.com) In-cell engineering can be a powerful tool for synthesizing functional protein crystals with promising catalytic properties. Using genetically modified bacteria as an environmentally friendly synthesis platform, the researchers produced hybrid solid catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. These catalysts exhibit high activity, stability, and durability, highlighting the potential of the proposed innovative approach.